ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Education
Young and Budding Authors
As per the announcement of the Prime Minister in the ‘Mann kiBaat’ Talk on 31st January 2021, the ‘Young, Upcoming and Versatile Authors’  scheme, a mentorship programme to train young authors, was launched by the Ministry of Education on 29th May 2021 as part of the “AzadikaAmritMahotsav” programme.
The launch of PM-YUVA is in tune with the vision to encourage young writers to write about India's freedom struggle. In the scheme, the young generation authorswrite about freedom fighters, incidents associated with freedom, the saga of valour during the period of freedom struggle in their respective areas - as the best tribute to the heroes of India's freedom - as we celebrate 75 years of Indian Independence.
The scheme is aimed at training 75 aspiring writers below 30 years, who are ready to express themselves and project India and its culture and literature globally. A consolidated scholarship of Rs 50,000 per month for a period of six months per author will be paid under the mentorship scheme in addition to being mentored by eminent authors.
The first edition of the 75 books selected under PM-YUVA Scheme will be published in their original language only. The books will be translated into other languages on case-to-case basis after publication of first edition, ensuring the exchange of culture and literature, thereby promoting 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'.
The information was given by the Minister of State for Education, Dr.SubhasSarkar in a written reply in the LokSabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Immunization of Children
The full immunization coverage stands at 92.8%, as per HMIS data from April 2019 to March 2020. However, still there are pockets where children remain deprived of completing the doses of vaccination, on account of various reasons, such as:  lack of awareness of benefit of Immunization,  apprehensions of Adverse Event Following Immunization ,  Child travelling,  refusal for vaccination and  operational gaps.
Special vaccination drives like Mission Indradhanush, Intensified Mission Indradhanush, Gram SwarajAbhiyaan , Extended GSA have been carried out to reach the left out and drop out children from vaccination.
Further, to mitigate low immunization coverage, strategic interventions like advocacy, social mobilization, community engagement, inter personal communication at family level and media engagement are undertaken.
The targeted steps being taken by the Government in spreading awareness about the immunization in children across the country are:
- Awareness generation through electronic and print media like radio spots, television, poster, hoardings etc.
- Inter personal communication by front line health workers like Auxiliary Nurse Midwife  and Accredited Social Health Activists 
- Utilizing social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and print media platforms.
- Social mobilization by Accredited Social Health Activists  and other community workers. The workers are incentivized for same.
The activities are undertaken by Government bodies in coordination with Non-Government Organizations 
Under Mission Indradhnaush and Intensified Mission Indradhanush  drives, specific immunization sessions are conducted in pockets with low immunization coverage and hard to reach areas where the proportion of unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children is highest.
The Minister of State , Sh. Ashwini Kumar Choubey stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha here today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID - 19 Vaccination Update - Day 405
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage over 176.76 Crore
More than 28 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 176.76 Crore  today. More than 28 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. More than 1.97 Crore  Precaution Doses for the identified categories of beneficiaries  for COVID vaccination have been administered so far. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10401252
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
9962557
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
4133440
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18408912
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17433547
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
6119641
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
54431850
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
25665817
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
551295267
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
441142275
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
202189008
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
179477110
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
126338195
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
111804778
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
9447833
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
963064484
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
785486084
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
19700914
|
|
Total
|
|
1768251482
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Date: 24th February, 2022 
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
108
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1899
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
19261
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
171
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
2933
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
26275
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
160524
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
885036
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
183172
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1078289
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
28467
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
225668
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
22763
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
140678
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
84579
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
395205
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
2334503
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
130115
|
|
Total
|
|
2859823
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
Ministry of Defence
Visit of Shri Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore Governor of Punjab to Air Force Station Halwara
Hon’ble Governor of Punjab, Shri Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore,visited Air Force Station Halwara on 09 Dec 2019. He was accompanied by his wife. They were received by Air Commodore Anjan Bhadra Air Officer Commanding Air Force Station Halwara and his wife.
During the visit, the Governor had an air experience sortie on Su-30 MKI aircraft piloted by Gp Capt NK Vatsya, Commanding Officer 220 Squadron. During the air experience, he was demonstrated various capabilities of the aircraft. The Governor described his experience of flying as exhilarating and thrilling. The Governor felt completely at ease in the cockpit during the sortie.
Later, the Governor interacted with the Air Warriors of the Station and impressed upon the importance of the Air Base in defending the Nation. He lauded the efforts of the Station personnel in safeguarding the Indian
air space.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Officials of India and USA met virtually for inaugural meeting of U.S.-India Counternarcotics Working Group
Wide-ranging conversations focused on increasing collaboration on counternarcotics regulation and law enforcement
Two sides also discussed initiatives to strengthen India’s regional leadership role in building capacity for counternarcotics initiatives in South Asia;
India and USA agreed to cooperate in data sharing operations, drug treatments and spreading awareness against drug abuse
The officials of India and United States of America met virtually for the inaugural meeting of the U.S.-India Counternarcotics Working Group  on November 24, 2020. The Indian delegation was led by Shri Sachin Jain, Deputy Director General, Narcotics Control Board, Ministry of Home Affairs, while Mr. Kemp Chester, Assistant Director, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Mr. Jorgan Andrews, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, U.S. State Department and Ms. Jennifer Hodge, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice jointly led the United States delegation. The respective delegations engaged in wide-ranging deliberations focused on increasing collaboration on counternarcotics regulation and law enforcement. The two sides identified areas for joint action and resolved to continue their close coordination on this important issue.
Both sides exchanged views on the broad array of narcotics-related challenges facing India and United States. They committed to strengthening their cooperation in curtailing the illegal production, manufacturing, trafficking, and distribution of pharmaceutical and illicit drugs, as well as the precursor chemicals used to manufacture them. Participants highlighted their efforts in combating drug trafficking in accordance with the rules and regulation of their respective countries and proposed to share best practices for countering synthetic opioids and precursor chemical diversion. The two sides also discussed initiatives to strengthen India’s regional leadership role in building capacity for counternarcotics initiatives in South Asia; countering regional cross-border drugs trafficking and crime through enhanced sharing of operational intelligence; and expanding law enforcement cooperation on counternarcotics issues. Both sides also agreed to cooperate and assist each other in the arena of drug treatment and awareness against drug abuse.
India and United States agreed to enhance their data sharing operations to combat the production, distribution, diversion, and export/import of drugs and precursor chemicals. Both sides agreed to continue these discussions at the CNWG meeting in the spring of 2021.
Ministry of Tourism
‘Incredible India 2.0’ campaign focuses on Niche tourism products including yoga, wellness, luxury, cuisine, wildlife among others – Shri Prahlad Singh Patel
“Find the Incredible You” Campaign focuses on the promotion of niche tourism products of the Country on digital and social media. It focuses on transformative experiences brought alive through unique storytelling in the format of autobiographies of travellers, with the tagline ‘Find the Incredible you’. The Campaign was the winner of the Pacific Asia Travel Association  Gold Award 2019.
PATA awards this year attracted 197 entries from 78 Organizations and individuals worldwide. The winners were selected by an independent judging Committee. The PATA grand awards are presented to outstanding entries in four principal categories: Marketing; Education and Training; Environment and Heritage and Culture. India won the award in 'Marketing – Primary Government Destination' category.
The Ministry has launched the ‘Incredible India 2.0’ campaign in the Country in September 2017, which marks a shift from generic promotions undertaken across the world to market specific promotional plans and content creation. The campaign focuses on digital and social media and the promotion of Niche tourism products, including yoga, wellness, luxury, cuisine, wildlife etc.
This information was given by the Minister of State  of Culture and Tourism, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Finance
India Signs Loan Agreement with World Bank for US$ 250 Million for “Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion”  Project
A Financing Agreement for IBRD loan of USD 250 million  for the “Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion  Project” was today signed with the World Bank. The Financing Agreement was signed in New Delhi by Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs Shri Sameer Kumar Khare on behalf of Government of India and Mr. Junaid Kamal Ahmad, Country Director, World Bank  on behalf of the World Bank.
The Objective of the project is to enhance institutional mechanisms for skills development and increase access to quality and market-relevant training for the work force.
The Key result areas for the project include Institutional Strengthening at the National and State Levels for Planning, Delivering, and Monitoring High-Quality Market-Relevant Training; Improved Quality and Market Relevance of Skills Development Programs; Improved access to and completion of skills training for female trainees and other disadvantaged groups; and Expanding skills training through private-public partnerships .
The closing date for the project is 31st March, 2023.
Prime Minister's Office
PM addresses Gujarat Rozgar Mela
Gujarat targets to fill 35 thousand posts in one year
Central government is working to give 10 lakh jobs
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today addressed the Gujarat Rozgar Mela via video message today.
The Prime Minister congratulated thousands of young candidates who were given appointment letters for different posts in various grades. The Prime Minister recalled that on the auspicious day of Dhanteras he started the Rozgar Mela at national level where he distributed appointment letters to 75,000 candidates. The Prime Minister, on the Dhanteras Day, had said that similar Rozgar Melas will be organised in various states and Union Territories. Gujarat, he said, has expeditiously moved and today 5000 candidates are getting appointment letters from Gujarat Panchayat Service Board, 8000 candidates are getting their appointment letters from Gujarat Sub Inspector Recruitment Board and Lokrakshak Recruitment Board. The Prime Minister complimented the Gujarat Chief Minister and his team for this quick response. The Prime Minister informed that in recent times 10 thousand youngsters were given appointment letters in Gujarat and the target of filling 35 thousand posts in next one year has been set.
The Prime MInister credited New Industrial policy of the state for creating many opportunities of employment and self-employment in Gujarat. He praised digital platforms like Ojas and abolition of the interview process in class 3 and 4 posts. He said that via ‘Anubandham’ mobile app and web portal employment is being made smooth in the state by connecting job seekers and job givers. Similarly, Gujarat Public Service Commission’s rapid recruitment model has been appreciated nationally.
The Prime Minister said this type of Rozgar Melas will continue to be organised at national and state levels in coming months. Whereas, the Central Government is working on providing 10 lakh jobs, states and union territories are also getting associated in the campaign, the number will rise significantly. “This will hugely reinforce the campaigns for last mile delivery and saturation of coverage of the government schemes”, he said.
Underlining the critical role of these young people in India’s march to developed nation status by 2047, the Prime Minister asked them to fulfil their duty towards society and the country. He also asked them to continue learning and getting skilled and not consider finding a job the end of their growth. “This opens many doors for you. Doing your job with dedication will give you untold satisfaction and will open the door of growth and progress”, the Prime Minister concluded.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Promoting Indo-Australian bilateral trade and investments Shri Nitin Gadkari emphasizes on great investing opportunities in India including the transport infrastructure sector.
Promoting Indo-Australian bilateral trade and investments Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari emphasized about the great investing opportunities in India including the transport infrastructure sector. Among various meetings in New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Shri Gadkari had a fruitful interaction with Australian Senator Mr. Ayres, Assistant Minister for Trade and Manufacturing.
Shri Gadkari and Mr. Ayres discussed about the excellent investment opportunities for Australian Investors in the Roads and Transport sector in India. The Minister said the trade relations between the two nations is upbeat & win-win for both the countries with technology & innovation being the key drivers for future growth.
Shri Gadkari visited the Research Center for Integrated Transportation Innovation  at University of New South Wales, Sydney. rCITI in collaboration with IAHE and Indian Mobility Industries will work together to build the Center for Advanced Transportation Technology and Systems  in India. A testimony of Indo-Australian Partnership, CATTS will serve as Centre of Excellence to build capacities in the fields of smart transport systems.
The Minister had a meeting with the Team of Australia-India Infrastructure Forum  in Sydney, hosted by Pricewaterhouse Coopers .
Shri Gadkari had a meeting with Mr. John Hopkins, CEO of Export Finance Australia. Discussions pertained to effects of India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement  on trade and bilateral investments between the two countries. The Minister said India's export of goods and services to Australia will increase in the coming years with the fostering of strong India-Australia Partnership under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
Shri Gadkari also visited Australia’s largest Motorway Control Centre , managed by Transurban at St. Peters NSW in Sydney.This facility streamlines the coordination of critical incidents and maintenance and network wide traffic monitoring, including the Tunnels.
Later addressing program organised by University of NSW Shri Gadkari talked about the crucial role of Infrastructure in the growth and prosperity of countries. He highlighted the seamless opportunities to expand the infrastructure partnership between India and Australia.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
178.55cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
India's Active caseload currently stands at 63,878
Active cases standat 0.15%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.65%
11,651recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,23,78,721
5,921new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
77.19cr Total Tests conducted so far; 9,40,905tests conducted in the last 24 hours
President's Secretariat
President of India’s Message on the eve of ‘Martyrdom Day’ of Guru Teg Bahadur
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind in his message on the eve of ‘Martyrdom Day’ of Guru Teg Bahadur has said:-
“On the sacred occasion of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji's Martyrdom Day, I pay him my humble tribute.
The ninth Guru of the Sikh community, Shri Teg Bahadur Ji, made supreme sacrifice to protect the faith, belief and rights of the people. Therefore, the fellow citizens call him 'Hind di Chaadar' with love and respect. His sacrifice inspires all of us to unite for the true service of humanity. Guru Teg Bahadur's teachings and his work will continue to spread the spirit of love and patriotism among all of us.
On this holy day, let us resolve that by eliminating violence, narrowness and hatred from our thoughts, we will dedicate ourselves for selfless service of others and promote human values like love, harmony and compassion”.
Click here to see President's Message in hindi.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
CAQM Sub-Committee for invoking actions under GRAP holds emergency meeting
Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index  clocked 410 today as per the 4PM AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board . In view of this sudden spike in the overall AQI of Delhi, the Sub-Committee for invoking actions under the Graded Response Action Plan  of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas  held an emergency meeting today. While comprehensively reviewing the overall air quality parameters, the Sub-Committee noted that the sudden spike in the overall AQI of Delhi is due to dip in temperature, calm winds, poor mixing heights and unfavourable ventilation coefficient for dispersion of pollutants and the air quality is expected to improve from tonight/ tomorrow, as per the weather/ meteorological forecast by IITM/ IMD. The Sub-Committee unanimously decided that it is not advisable to impose Stage-III and continue with actions as envisaged under Stage-I and Stage-II of the GRAP in right earnest by all the agencies concerned.
As per the dynamic model and weather/ meteorological forecast provided by IITM/ IMD, this sudden spike in the overall AQI of Delhi is temporary and the wind velocity will pick up pace with improvement anticipated in the air quality from tonight/ tomorrow. The forecasts do not predict any further deterioration with overall AQI of Delhi showing a decreasing trend from tonight/ tomorrow which is likely to remain largely in the ‘Very Poor’ category from tomorrow onwards and in the coming days.
Further, various agencies responsible for implementing measures under GRAP and Pollution Control Boards  of NCR and DPCC have also been advised to ensure strict intensification of actions under Stage-I and Stage-II of the GRAP in the coming days.
The Commission also appeals to the citizens of NCR to cooperate in implementing GRAP and follow the steps mentioned in the Citizen Charter under GRAP. Citizens are advised to:
- Use public transport and minimize use of personal vehicles.
- Regularly replace air filters at recommended intervals in their automobiles.
- Avoid dust generating construction activities
The Sub-Committee is closely watching the situation and will again review the situation, if required, tomorrow itself, for further appropriate decision depending upon the air quality in Delhi and forecast made available by IMD/IITM. The revised schedule of the GRAP is available on the Commission’s official website and can be accessed via caqm.nic.in
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 194.76 Cr
Over 3.49 Cr 1st dose vaccines administered for age group 12-14 years
India's Active caseload currently stands at 36,267
7,584 new cases reported in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently stands at 98.70%
Weekly Positivity Rate is presently at 1.50%
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 194.76 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 2,49,36,054 sessions.
COVID-19 vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on 16 March, 2022. So far, more than 3.49 Cr  adolescents have been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Similarly, the COVID-19 precaution dose administration for age group 18-59 years also started from 10th April, 2022 onwards.
The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,04,07,512
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,00,46,444
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
53,64,614
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,84,20,289
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,75,94,513
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
90,96,477
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
3,49,17,732
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,88,71,349
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
5,97,72,453
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
4,67,26,172
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
55,74,97,921
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
49,36,35,305
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
13,40,312
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
20,33,08,961
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
19,16,44,537
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
17,11,553
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
12,71,38,362
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
11,95,79,805
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
2,05,68,681
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
3,80,81,637
|
|
Total
|
|
1,94,76,42,992
India’s Active Caseload currently stands at 36,267. Active cases now constitute 0.08% of the country's total Positive Cases.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.70%. 3,791 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients  is now at 4,26,44,092.
7,584 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The last 24 hours saw a total of 3,35,050 COVID-19 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 85.41 Cr  cumulative tests.
Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently stands at 1.50% and the Daily Positivity rate is reported to be 2.26%.
Prime Minister's Office
PM wishes Happy Holi to all
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has wished everyone happy and colourful Holi and wished for joy and happiness in everyone’s life.
The Prime Minister tweeted
होली की बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं। आप सभी के जीवन में हमेशा आनंद और उमंग का रंग बरसे। Wishing you all a happy and colourful Holi!